Did you realize that your hair is one of the first things people notice about you?
This means that your hairstyle can literally make or break your feminine image!
You deserve to look and feel your best as a trans woman or crossdresser – and it all starts with your hair.
Here are 5 male to female hairstyle mistakes to avoid – and what to do instead!
Mistake #1: Choosing The Wrong Hair Color
If you wear a wig or dye your hair, choosing the right hair color is key.
The wrong shade can wash you out and add years to your face, while the right shade will have an instant flattering, feminizing effect.
Here are my top two hair color tips to keep in mind:
Tip: Stay within 2 shades of your natural hair color
Unless your hair is naturally very light or dark, you should avoid extreme shades like platinum blonde or jet black.
Platinum blonde is not flattering to most skin tones.
Jet black is too harsh for many people’s skin tones.
Flattering hair color as seen on Janet Mock, transgender author.
Tip: Choose a hair color that complements your skin tone
Before you can choose a good hair color, you need to know if your skin has cool or warm undertones.
An easy way to determine your skin tone is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear more blue, you have a cool skin tone. If they look more green, you have a warm skin tone.
Then, choose a hair shade that coordinates with your coloring:
- If you have a cool skin tone, choose hair colors with a cool tone – like coffee brown, burgundy, or ash blonde.
- If you have a warm skin tone, opt for golden shades such as chestnut, auburn, or honey blonde.
For more on this topic, be sure to check out my blog post on Male to Female Hairstyles: What Does Your MTF Hair Color Say About You?
COOL hair colors complement cool skin tones – as seen on transgender vlogger, Gigi Gorgeous
WARM hair colors complement warm skin tones – as seen on transgender actress, Candis Cayne
Mistake #2: Opting For The Wrong Cut Or Style
The cut and style of your hair have a dramatic impact on your appearance. Hairstyles that are too short, too long, or too angular can have a masculinizing effect on your face.
Instead, flatter your face with soft waves and layers. Bangs are also a great choice if you have a high forehead.
I go into more detail on the most flattering hairstyles in this blog post: MTF Transgender Hairstyles: 6 Best Transfem Haircuts & Styles.
Long, straight, center-parted hair looks too severe.
Angular bobs emphasize the angles of your face.
Soft waves (as seen on trans actress Laverne Cox) are feminine and flattering.
Mistake #3: Revealing Thinning Or Receding Hair
If you prefer to style your own natural hair (vs. wearing a wig), be sure to pay special attention to its thickness. Slight hair loss might not be noticeable in male mode, but it can detract from a feminine appearance when presenting as a woman.
Hair loss treatments and hormones can help with hair regrowth, but in the meantime, wear a wig or hair piece. You could also try sporting a cute hat!
Mistake #4: Wearing A Cheap Or Worn Out Wig
If you’re going to wear a wig, pay close attention to quality. High quality human hair wigs can cost hundreds (or even thousands) or dollars, but you can find synthetic wigs for much less.
No matter how much you spend, you want to look for shine and softness. Wigs with dull, rough hair fibers scream “fake” from a mile away.
Also keep in mind that wigs have a limited life span. As soon as your wig starts to look dull or frizzy, it’s time to shop for a new one.
Mistake #5: Wearing A Wig Too High Or Too Low On Your Forehead
If you’re new to wigs, it’s normal to be scared that your wig is going to fall off. Your instinct might be to push the wig down, but this is not a flattering or feminine look.
On the other hand, if the wig isn’t properly secured, it can creep up your forehead. This doesn’t look good, either.
To keep your wig securely in place, use wig clips, a wig cap, or a wig grip.
For more information on wigs, be sure to check out my blog post on The Ultimate Guide to Transgender / Crossdressing Wigs and Hair Extensions.
Wig clips
Wig cap
Wig grip
Make everyday a good hair day!
Beautiful hair can transform your female appearance – and it all starts avoiding these 5 simple mistakes.
Now I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Share your best hairstyle tips and tricks and upload a photo of your femme hairstyle in the comments section below!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Makeup Mini Course.
one more thing about hair color – if you were much lighter as a child, you can usually go that color or one shade darker as an adult (any age) and trust it will still look good …
Thankx for…..
Lucille, as ever a very helpful set of reminders and advice. Thank you. I am now thin on top, as befits my age (!) and grey but in my heyday I was a darkish blond. So I think a slightly grey colour is ok now with a tendency to blond. I recently tried to get (in UK) one of those hair enhancers which is a kind of wig with holes in. It is attached by pulling selected bunches of your own hair through. Theoretically it gives the effect of highlights, assuming you go for a similar texture to your own with, as you say, only a couple of shades away from your own. Hopefully something affordable like that will come up.
Gen XX
Thankfully my hair is the least of my worries in my male to female journey.
you are so right about the right lenth of the hair and soft bangs. Being an older gurl i realy do want to be attractive and yet that sexy soft fem look
When my hair looks good i feel wonderful and alive!
joie
Lucille
I love the useful reminder about staying within 2 shades of my natural hair colour. I have a warm skin tone, and I know that chestnut brown is the perfect tone for myself.
I consider that the idea about the hair grips is a lifesaver.
Richard X
What skin color is within two shades of GRAY? Just teasing, my hair is not yet gray, but my natural blonde is getting a little ashier every year. The color seems to look ok with me, though. I certainly want to avoid dying, although one of my girl mentors sez dye adds volume, which I would love more of. I wear it longish, but not too. That’s a bit of a nuisance, but I like it, and it provides more options. Even though my hair is a bit receded in front, I can usually fake it. I have been using generic Rogaine, with slow results. Women’s Rogaine is 2% minoxidyl, and men’s is 5%, for the same price. The women’s is weaker because thay say it’s to avoid encouraging facial hair growth. But if it’s weaker they should charge less. So buy men’s, and use less, or dilute it with 2.5 to 1 water to Rogaine. Bottom line: I just LOVE it when my hair looks good and I even get an occasional complement. It helps make up for those bad hair days.
Love your comments and videos and content for all the wonderful things we need to know as blossoming women…Been at it a while myself so here is a picture of me in a new short wig which I don’t usually wear and on a cruise no less so what do you think comments and constructive criticism desired…Thanks…Felicia